Author's note: you guys hardly reviewed for this chappie am I doing something wrong? Plz tell me so I can figure out what cuz I reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaalllllllllllllllllllyyyyyyyy want to get to 100 reviews! I'm so close!
Chapter 15: Realization
Naraku looked from the trail of blood on the ground to the figure standing between him and Inu Yasha. He recognized the raven haired girl right away "You!" he shouted in disbelief "but…how? You should have been killed"
Kagome turned away from Inu Yasha to look at Naraku. She looked at the wound on her chest and seemed a little confused herself "You're right, I should have died" Kagome said suddenly after a few uncomfortable moments of silence "but I refuse to! I won't die! Not until I save Inu Yasha!"
"You are a very determined girl I'll give you that" Naraku said with a smirk "But you are also a fool! This man is a beast and should be treated as such am I right?"
The crowd grunted in agreement "Kill him!" shouted a few outstanding voices.
Inu Yasha let out an almost strangled cry of anger and confusion.
"No!" Kagome said, turning back to Inu Yasha and wrapping her arms tightly around his upper body "Don't listen to them!"
"You really think he can be saved?" Naraku chuckled "by now he will most likely have lost himself entirely to the curse. So die now before you embarrass yourself more."
"He didn't! Not yet!" Kagome said, staring hard into the eyes of her beastly friend "I know it!"
Kagome searched his eyes for some kind of clue that would give her hope, or crush her dreams. She looked hard into the pools of crimson red for even a glimmer of her friend's consciousness. She was losing faith fast however, for she could see the last vestiges of her once kindhearted friend disappearing.
Naraku laughed from behind her menacingly "you are pathetic" he snickered "even when you know you have lost you still continue to fight a pointless battle."
"It is NOT pointless!" Kagome shouted, tears flowing down "I WILL save him! I WILL!"
Naraku frowned.
Ayame and Rin watched this disturbing scene helplessly from the sidelines. Both desperately wished that they could do something to help their friend.
"Save him!" Ayame started to chant softly "Save Inu Yasha!"
Rin quickly caught on and joined in "Save Inu Yasha!" she chanted along.
Pretty soon, parts of the crowd started to chant as well and before long, everyone was chanting the words "Save Inu Yasha!" over and over again.
"You FOOLS!" Naraku shouted, aimlessly trying to gain some support "He'll kill you all!"
But his tactics weren't working very well for the crowd simply continued to chant "Save Inu Yasha!" as though Naraku had made no comment whatsoever.
Naraku had only one option left. He chuckled evilly; he was going to enjoy this.
What's…happening? Inu Yasha said. He felt someone embracing him strongly and felt almost comforted.
You can feel her can't you? Naraku said disdainfully I figured you would. This girl Kagome is much stronger than I would have thought.
What is it you're planning to do? Inu Yasha said, suddenly very worried.
What's with the big concern Inu Yasha? Naraku scoffed I won't make you forget.
Then what's your plan? Inu Yasha said, still concerned.
Kill her Naraku said simply but in a tone filled with anger and bloodlust.
Inu Yasha could now only see red, only feel Naraku's anger and disgust as it spread through his own body like a contagious disease. Inu Yasha growled loudly as he grabbed the person who was still holding him's arms.
Kagome gasped and let out a small yelp of pain as more blood trickled down the sleeves of her shirt.
Kagome looked up "Inu Yasha!" she called "I know you can hear me! Please, I'm begging you, don't change!"
Inu Yasha let out another strangled cry as he grabbed her harder. Kagome shut her eyes tightly and embraced the pain willingly "You promised you wouldn't forget!" she called out, standing on tiptoe so that she would be closer to his ear "you gave me your word!"
Inu Yasha's facial expression remained the same, enraged and hungry for a human life. But Kagome desperately looked into his eyes for a hint of the old Inu Yasha.
You promised you wouldn't forget! The voice of the girl rang through his head over and over again as though it would never stop. She was trying to tell him something, trying to reach him somehow. He had to respond, but how could he when Naraku was in complete control?
"INU YASHA!" Kagome shouted as she found the clue she was looking for all along. After what seemed like hours of searching, she found the all too familiar gleam of uncertainty, pain, and loneliness "Please come back to me!" she shouted "I know that somewhere within that beastly appearance is the real you!"
Naraku looked to the two of them but said nothing what will the girl do now? He wondered silently how will she bring him back?
"Inu Yasha please!" Kagome screamed persistently "I know you can hear me! You promised you'd never forget me remember! I know that you're in there somewhere and you remember!"
"Kagome you'll be killed!" Kagome's father called, running through the large crowd of scared villagers "you must give up; it's too dangerous to continue!"
"I'm not afraid!" Kagome protested almost angrily "I don't care if he uses his bare hands to kill me right now! I promised I would never leave him and I won't! I promised him I would never let him be hurt! If I left him now, I would be breaking my promise and I will never do that!"
Kagome's father shrunk back in shock and surprise, Kagome had never been so willing to risk her life for another.
"Do you hear me Inu Yasha?" Kagome shouted, turning to face the man "I will never abandon you! I REFUSE TO LEAVE YOU BEHIND!"
She stood on tiptoe once again and whispered softly in his ear "Please Inu Yasha, let this break the spell and bring you back to me."
She then stood on flat feet. Looking up at Inu Yasha, she closed her eyes, tears still streaming down her cheeks Inu Yasha…she thought as she leaned in closer to his face Inu Yasha… Kagome grew closer and closer I love you! With that thought ringing in her mind, she kissed him.
Inu Yasha Naraku said why the hesitation? Surely you do not intend to let the girl live…
Inu Yasha he heard the girl say we always want to be together don't we? You want to stay with me don't you?
Inu Yasha could feel himself pulsating what? He said as he felt Kagome's lips on his own Kagome? He thought, surprised that he could remember her. Control of his body was coming back. He could feel himself able to move his body willingly. He had returned. Seeing the raven haired girl standing before him, he slowly closed his own eyes and kissed her back. Kagome he thought you saved me.
The crowd gasped, including Naraku himself. Sh-she kissed him! He thought to himself and that act alone…was enough to break my spell?
"Kagome" Inu Yasha said softly as he and Kagome broke their kiss.
"Inu Yasha!" Kagome cried with a smile "You came back!"
Inu Yasha wrapped his arms around her tightly "You are so reckless" he scoffed "what if I had killed you?"
"I didn't care" Kagome said truthfully "at that moment, and at this moment, all I care about is you being safe."
"Kagome you're a fool" Inu Yasha said as he hugged her tighter but I love you just the same.
Kagome merely smiled and closed her eyes as she rested her head against Inu Yasha's chest.
"Well, isn't this touching?" Naraku smirked "it's so cute it makes me sick!"
Kagome turned to Naraku and scowled angrily "You're in no position to be criticizing us!"
"You know, judging by that intimate kiss a few minutes ago" Naraku continued, ignoring Kagome's angered remark "I'd almost think you were in love with this monster."
"He's not the monster here Naraku!" Kagome shouted "You Are!"
Naraku simply scowled and pushed her aside to the ground "I'll deal with you later, pesky human" he grunted, pulling out his knife once more.
Inu Yasha had no where to run. Backed up against a wall, all he could do was pray that someone would show him salvation.
"Inu Yasha!" Kagome cried desperately as Naraku inched closer, knife raised and glinting in the pale light of the moon.
Inu Yasha backed up as far as he could, the glimmer of fear engulfing his eyes for the first time in his life.
"I was right" Naraku said "Love has made you weak."
Kagome frowned, desperately trying to think of someway to help him. But, as she saw the glinting blade grow closer and closer to Inu Yasha's heart, she could only think of one efficient way.
"Inu Yasha!" she yelled, standing "I promised you wouldn't get hurt, and I intend to keep that promise!"
With that she jumped between Naraku and Inu Yasha, allowing the blade to be plunged into her own heart.
"Kagome!" Inu Yasha cried helplessly as Kagome collapsed on the ground. Breathing heavily as blood surrounded her immobilized body.
"What a stupid girl" Naraku smirked "rushing to her death to save you"
He walked over to Kagome, who was breathing short but heavy breaths. Standing over her, he bent down and pulled the knife from her heart. She winced in pain and let out a small yelp of agony but remained paralyzed where she lay.
"She was truly a fool" he continued, raising the now blood stained blade "and her attempts to save you were all in vain."
Inu Yasha used his claws to grab Naraku tightly by the collar and lift him high into the air. Anger and rage engulfed him as he mourned the loss of his beloved and he looked about ready to kill the first thing that moved an inch. The crowd held their breaths as they watched the beast-like man raise his other claw.
But then, he stopped. His eyes softened as he heard the disgruntled cry of the dying Kagome. "Kagome" he said weakly as he thrust Naraku aside.
He ran to Kagome and cradled her in his arms tightly. "Inu Yasha" she said weakly "I'm sorry I couldn't keep my promise."
"No!" Inu Yasha said "don't speak in that grim tone, you're going to live I swear! I promise we'll get through this."
"They say that before the angels take you to heaven" Kagome continued "they ask you what you liked the best about life."
"You won't die" Inu Yasha persisted "Stop spouting such nonsense!"
"If they do ask me" Kagome continued "do you know what I will say?"
"You won't have to say anything" Inu Yasha said "even if one million angels of death come for you I won't let them pry you from my fingers!"
"I'll tell them it was meeting you" Kagome smiled "I'll tell them you were the best part of my life. And when I see Kikyo, I'll tell her she was wrong about you."
"Kagome" Inu Yasha said, tears streaming down his dirt-stained cheeks "you don't have to leave me."
"I'm not scared" Kagome said with a weak laugh, her voice cracking "I have no regrets. I didn't die alone. As long as my last breath is here with you, lying in your arms, I'll be the happiest I've ever been."
"I won't let you die! I won't!" Inu Yasha kept shouting.
"I'm not alone" Kagome laughed again as her breath got shorter, tears gathered in her eyes "Inu Yasha, you never will be either, I-I Lo…"
But Kagome couldn't finish her sentence for with one last heave, her eyes closed and her frail body went limp in his hands. And even after her life force was completely gone, Inu Yasha saw one steady tear roll down her cheek.
Then came the rain, as though her crying had caused it. Lightning flashed, temporarily lighting the sky. And thunder sounded as though God had seen the whole seen and was clapping at their performance.
"KAGOME!" Inu Yasha shouted, refusing to let go of the girl in his hands.
Suddenly, a bright flash of red surrounded the two and Inu Yasha saw a thin red thread tied around his left pinky. He saw a trail of red string leading away from him. Following it, he saw that Kagome was connected to him by this thread. We were connected he thought we were always destined to be.
(a/n: Okay, just in case you don't know I got this from an old Japanese legend. They say that everyone is destined to be with someone else ever since they were born. Everyone has a tiny red string wrapped around their left pinky and that string is connected to their soul mate in the same way. The string will never break. Even when passing through a thick crowd of people, the string will never get tangled up. It is said to only be visible when they are near death or have just seen someone die, which is why Inu Yasha was able to see the string.)
Author's Note: Yay! I just checked the reviews again and I have 92 reviews! Only 8 more and I can get to one hundred! Please help me out! Plz plz plz plz plz plz plz plz plz plz plz plz! Sorry I just really want to get to one hundred! Don't worry, there are a few more chappies left in this story so keep reading!